Nayab Shaikh
Explore Frere Hall, one of the sites for the upcoming KB24. This is part of our ongoing coverage of the Karachi Biennale 2024.
The city by the sea has some incredible historic sites that are being repurposed as a background to display contemporary art by local and international artists. Frere Hall, a historical colonial-era landmark in the heart of Karachi, has been a significant venue for The Karachi Biennale.
The building is part of a revivalist architectural style that was used by British architects in India in the late 19th century. The combination of Frere Hall’s Indo-Gothic architecture with contemporary art installations create a rich layer of dialogue between Karachi’s colonial past and its modern-day creative expression.
Out of the 12 architects who proposed plans for the hall, only one, Lt. Clair Wilson, was selected. This stunning display of architectural flair was built in 1863 as a tribute to the service of Henry Bartle Frere, the Chief Commissioner of Sindh. It was built using yellowish limestones, imported from Rajasthan and Thar, and red-gray sandstones, merging local and Western elements. Features such as flying buttresses, quatrefoils, ribbed vaults, and pointed arches along with the pillars that have intricate mosaic carvings are a testament to the craftsmanship of the artists who worked on this site. The hall has maintained its imposing and dramatic presence throughout the years.
The hall has stood diligently in serving many purposes over the years, from being a town hall during the British Raj to being a residential area for King Edward VII and Seth Dinshaw, and later on for for our leader, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, used by his sister, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. The many uses of the hall over the years concluded with it serving as the city's first library, Liaqat Ali Khan Library, consisting of over 70,000 books, as well as a studio space that enables many artists to showcase their works. Moreover, the first floor has been given life by the Sadequain Gallery, the artist who also painted the ever-so-remarkable mural entitled Ilm o Amal on the ceiling of the large hall.
The Biennale uses the juxtaposition of a colonial building and contemporary art to curate installations that create an interplay between the old and new while exploring the complex identity of Karachi.
Although the hall is quite a moment in time, very little has been done for its maintenance, yet events such as The Karachi Biennale breathe new life into the space. The Biennale uses the juxtaposition of a colonial building and contemporary art to curate installations that create an interplay between the old and new while exploring the complex identity of Karachi.
The history and the stories of the hall are all rich, but the most recognizable memory for the people of this city has been the book fair held on its premises every Sunday morning. One can stand for hours on end, ignoring the unimaginably hot weather of Karachi while browsing through pre-loved books and chatting with people around, reading the little gems inscribed on their pages, and of course, haggling with the vendors. Mornings like this silence the noise of this very busy city.
Frere Hall is a true cultural icon, preserving the past while nurturing the future of Karachi.
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